Elevating grader



ug 22, 1933 F. D. WALLACE ll-: AL 1,924,055

ELEVATING GRADER Filed April 20, 1952 2 SheetS-Shee l Humm y .15 l 1 uml hl tu Aug. 22, 1933. F. D. WALLACE ET AL. 1,924,055

ELEVATING GRADER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20, 1932 Hilmfl' Patented ug. 22, 1933 E @STATES l ELEVATING GRADER I Floyd D. Wallace, William A. Cost,rand Joseph` 'Y Y u W.' Hartley, Indianapolis, Ind., assignors to J. D. Adams xlVIanufacturingV Company, In` dianapolirs, .Ind.,"a Corporation of Indiana 1 Application y'April zo, 12932;` serial No. 606,368-

-r 9 claims. (c1. 37,-;110)

Our invention is concerned lwith elevating graders. Such machines customarily Vinclude a wheel-supportedframe, a plow, and a conveyor or carrier adapted to receive earth turned by the plow and to convey such earth to an elevated 'n point Vof'discharge 1 Y vThe carrier or elevator projects laterally on one side of the frame beyond the supporting Wheels and, .becauseof the weight of the projecting carrier, these machines are relatively unstable, and have a marked tendency toitip .toward that side on which the-carrierv projects. I 1

.Because elevating'graders operate onY uneven surfaces, it has generally been considered necesel sary to providefor the grader frame a three-point or an approximately three-point suspension in orderrtoydecre'ase as muchas possible `the im'-y positionv of torsional stresses on vthe main frame resulting from 'the passage of the machinefover uneven ground surfaces. This three-point vsuspensionV tends to decrease the stability'of the Y already comparatively unstable grader,

sult of these considerations, v the front-axle mounting employed on commercial types of velevating graders has usually been a compromise between a pure three-point suspension desirable for the purpose of eliminating the imposition of torsional stresses on the main frame and a fourpoint suspensiondesirablev .from the standpoint of stability ofthe machine.

In all commercial forms of which we are aware, steering Yis eifectedby swingingthe front axle'about a vertical'pivot at' its center. Thus, even when machines embodying a four-point suspension are used the decrease in effective front axle tread base-length which results when the axle isvswun'g in turning the grader, ishighly objectionable in respect to thel resultant decrease of stability. K

Y It is the primary object of, our invention to Vproduce a front-wheel mounting for an elevatingr grader which will not render the grader unstable and which, at the same time, will provide vfor the substantial elimination from the main frame vof #torsional stresses which would yotherwise result from the passage of the machine overgroundof an uneven character. vA further object of our invention isto provide an elevating grader .which will havefa short turning-'radiusland which will; vnot suffer a marked decrease in stability whenv Y being turned sharply. l f `In carrying out our invention -we pivotally` interconnect the front axle tov themain frameof the machine on a. horizontal axis located asfar as, practicable toward that Vside, of the` machine of elevating graders from which the carrier or conveyor projects.

The front Wheels, instead of being mounted on.v spindles rigid with the front axle, are mounted 'on steering knuckles which are interconnected with each other and withv the draft tongue of the machine, which draft tongue is pivotally mounted on a vertical axis near the center of the front axle. Y. .l

The accompanying drawings illustrate our invention: Fig. 1 isa plan view Qf'an elevating Y grader embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a detail View illustrating in plan the construction of the front axle; Fig. 3'is a front elevation of the elevatingggrader; Fig. 4 isa fragmental view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the wheels in the positionA they occupy when the grader is beingy turned sharply to the right; and Fig. 5 tion of the front axle. Y

The grader illustrated embodies a' generally rectangular main framek 10 supported by front wheels 11 and rear wheels 12. The front wheels, in accordance with our invention. are mounted on steering knuckles 13 which arepivcted on vertical axes respectively `to thegopposite endsof is van end elevaarfront axle 14.4 The operating armsfpf the steering knuckles 13 are interconnected'by a tie rod l5`to an intermediate pointon which there is. pivotally connected one'end of an arm 16. This arm 16is` in turn pivoted at an intermediate point to the front axle on a` vertical axis, and itsv front end is attached to the draft tongue 17 by` means jcfwhich the grader is drawn.

As previously indicated, we contemplatethat the front axle will be pivotally-connected tothe main frame on a horizontal axis. Inthe standard form of` elevating graders; the elevator or carrier projects tothe Yright beyond the right-hand side of .the frame 10 and even'beyond the right-hand' wheels, thus creating a tendency for the grader.

tio tip totheright. In accordance with our in vention, therefore,l We arrange the point of pivotal interconnection between the axleand 'mainframe' as near .as practicable to: the right-hand end of the front axle 14;' To vthis end wesecure to Vthe main frame adjacent the front right-hand corner: thereof a downwardly `projecting leg r20 to the'Y lower endofv which the front'axle 14.is'lpivoted: asby means of a pivot bolt 21.

The left-handend ofthe front axle is guidedfl.05

for .verticalV movement between two guidev bars 22' which project downwardly from themain frame 10 near the `front left-handcorner thereof. Bumper springs 23 associatedv with the left-hand end of `the front; axle land'co-operating Withvr an abutment 24 carried by the mainframe serve its front end to the front axle le,

yieldingly to -liinit excessive vertical swinging rof the front axle.

The plow 25, which is usually in the form of a dished disk, may be mounted in any desired manner, we prefer to secure it to a plowbeam 26 which extends generally forwardly and inwardly from the plow and is connected at The plow 25 is disposed opposite a carrier or belt-conveyor 27 which receives earth turned bythe plow and:

carries it to an elevated point of discharge beyond the right-hand side of the machine.

For the purpose of attachingthe iront end of the plow beam 25 to the front axle, we may'provide on thev front axle two spaced horizontal plates 30 which are provided witha yseries of alined holes 3l any of which may r ceive av bolt or pin 32 passing through the eye of Van eye bolt 33 that is pivotally mounted on the front end of the plow-beam 26.

The rear end 01E the plow vbeam may be supported by a transversely extending thrust-bar 35 which extends across and beneath' the main frame tothe right-hand side thereof where it is adiustably secured tothe main frame as by being provided with a series of holes 36 adapted to receivev selectively a-pin 37 carried by a bracket 38 Vmounted on the main trarne.

vention may beused'with any desired orm of Yplow-beam` or plow-beam mounting.

For the purpose or relieving the lleg 2o and the axle guides 22 or" horizontal stresses, we mayeinbody in the construction of the machine a radius rod 45. This radius rod preferably hastwo legs 46 which are secured to spaced points on the front axle and which converge rearwardly to join with each other Yand with a trunnion 47 'which is received-in a bearing i8 suitably supported from the-main frame ll0. `The axis of the trunnion 4'? is in substantial alin ent with the axis of the pivot bolt 2l in order that the front axle and the radius rod may swing as a unit.

VTo obtain the shortest possible turning-radius with a front-'axle construction of the type illustrated it is necessary that the steering knuckle 'onthe inside of the turn assume a position at 9c"V to the position it occupies when the grader is traveling a straight path. Because ofthe necessity for providingT clearance andaVoiding-dead- Y' center positions or the `steering knuckles 13 and tie rod 15 it is impraoticable to swing the steering knuckles through respective arcs of 189 (96 on either side of anormal position); and as a result oiE this, it is impracticable to obtain theA minimum turning radius for turns in both directions. The greatest necessity for sharp turns in the ypractical operation oan Velevating graderV arises in the case or turns to the right; and in order toobtain a minimum turning radius for right-turns, thereore, wearrange (the parts in such a way that the right-hand steering knuckle 13 can swing rearwardly substantially througha `fullV Vfrom its normal'position occupied forward movementof the grader.

we dispose theoperating arm or the right-hand To this end,

'front and rear i steering knuckle 13 at somewhat less than a right-angle to the spindle on which its associy ated wheel 1l is mounted. -We rind that the desired erating arm of the right-hand steering knuckle 13 at an angle o about 75 to its associated wheelspindle.

result can be'secured by arranging the op- In order to avoidy skiddring ot one or the other or" the front wheels 11 during a turn, itisneCeS- sary that axes of both iront wheels intersect at a point which lies` in the vertical planecontaining theaxesof the rearwheels 12.V Any tendency to` skid is most Ynoticeable and most objectionable in a sharp turn,and in order to eliminate it in sharp turns to the right, we so arrange the parts that in hand steering knuckle 13 swings through a smaller angle than does the 4right-hand steering lmuckle.v 'The'preferred method ofzaccomplishing this purpose isto make theoper'ating arm or ing knuckle 13.

In a grader where the Vdistance between the .vertical axes or the two .steering knuckles is approximately 73 inches, we iind that the desired resultsjust indicated can be obtained by making the operating arin of the right-hand steering right turns the left-V the'lett-hand steering knuckle lslightly longer Y thanthe operating-arm of the right-hand steer knuckle linches in length and the operating A arm of the .left-hand Y steering 'knuckle 15% inches in length. `The eiiiective length `of the' arm 16 between its points or pivotal.connectionv respectively to the front axleA 14; and the tiejrod 15v is substantially the meanroi thelengths of the Yoperating of thesteering knuckles.vr

When the grader is being moved forwardly in a straight line, the arri/lilo andthe operatingof the steering knuckles ll'.are.substantiallyA Upon a 'turnY parallel, as illustrated in Fig. 2. to the right, the lett-hand steering knuckle 13 swings through a smaller anglerthanV does the Y right-hand steering knuckle, because of the greater length or itsoperating arm. The position of thesteering knuckles and the arms 16 for rthe shortest possible turn to the right is illustrated in Fig. .f 1 i We claim as ourinverition: Y Y l. Inan elevating grader having a main frame and a carrier projectingr from one side thereof,

front and rear wheelsfor supporting said. main frame, va front axle onfvhich said front ywheels are mounted, means for said front axle and maingiirarne on a substantially horizontal axis displaced from' the center of thel axle toward Ythat side of the i ain frame from which said carrier projects, said axle being-v pivot'ally interconnecting connected to the'frame at-the opposite side off- 'Y' the center tor free vertical oscillation and means for steering said'front'whe'els. Y, V2. In an elevating grader having a main frame and a carrier prmcoting from one side thereof,

frame,` a front mounted von said front axle near the' ends thereof, said front wheels being mounted respectively'on said steering knuckles, means for pivotally interels for suporting's'aid i'nainl xle, steering 'knuckles Ypivotally connecting said iront axle and main frame on a v substantially horizontal axisdisplaced ,from the' center Vofthe front axle toward. that sideof the main frame trom which said 'carrier projects, said axle being connected tothe frame Yatfthe opposite sideof the center for free vertical'oscillation above and below said horizontal axis and means for steering said -frontl wheels'.

3. lThe invention set forth in clannran-luie 4. The invention set forth in claim 1 with thev addition of guides engaging said lfront axle at a point spaced from the axis of pivotal interconnection of said front axle Aand main frame tov -guide the front axle for vertical swinging movement about said axis.

5. In an elevating grader having a main frame and a carrier projecting from one side thereof,

front and rear wheels for supporting said main frame, a front axle, provisions interconnecting said front axle andmain frame and permitting movement of said front axle in av vertical plane relative to said main frame, steering knuckles pivotally mounted near the ends of said front axle, each of said steering knuckles including va spindle on which one of said front wheels is mounted and an operating arm extending generally rearwardly, the operating arm on that steering knuckle nearest the'side of the main frame from which said carrier projects being disposed at an angle less than ninety degrees to its associated spindle, the other operating arm having a length greater than the first named operating arm and being disposed at anvangle of greater than ninety degrees to its associated spindle, a tie bar interconnecting said operating arms, and a draft tongue pivotally attached to said front axle on a vertical axis intermediate the ends thereof, said draft tongue being providedv said front axle and main frame and permitting- Vmovement of said front axle in a vertical plane relative to said main frame, steering knuckles' pivotally mounted near the ends of said frontv axle, each of said steering knuckles including a spindle on which one of said front wheels is mounted and an operating arm extending generally rearwardly, the operating arm on that steering knuckle nearestthe side of the main frame from which said carrier projects being dis-A posed at an angle less-than ninety degrees to its associated spindle, the other operating arm having a length greater than the first namedoperating arm and being disposed at an angle of greater ,than ninety degrees to its associated spindle, a`

tie barinterconnecting said operating arms, and means for moving said tie bar to swing said steering knuckles jointly about Itheir respective axes.

7. In an elevating grader havingfa main framey I means for'steeringy said front wheels.

and a carrier projecting from one side thereof, front and rear wheels for supporting saidmain frame, a front axle, provisions interconnecting said front axle and main frame andpermitting movement of said front axle in a vertical plane relative to said main frame, steering knuckles pivotally rmounted near .the ends of said front l axle, each of said steering knuckles including a spindle on which one of said front Wheels yis mounted and an operating arm extending generally rearwardly, the operating arm on that steering knuckle nearest the side of the main frame from which said carrier projects being` disposed at an angle less than ninety degrees to its associated spindle, the other operating "armj being disposed at an angleof greater than ninety -degrees to itsassociatedspindle, a tiebar interconnecting said operating arms, and a Adraft tongue pivotally attached to said front 'axle on a vertical axis intermediate the ends thereof, said draft tongue being .provided with an arm extending rearwardly and pivotally connected to said tie bar.

8. In an elevating grader having a main frame and a carrier projectingl from ,one side thereof, front and rear wheels for supporting said main frame, a front axle', provisions interconnecting said front axle and main frame and permitting movement of saidfront axle in a vertical plane relative to saidV main frame, steering knuckles pivotally" mounted near the ends of said -front axle, each of said steering knuckles including, a

spindle on which one of said front Wheels AisV mounted and an operating arm extending generally rearwardly, the operating arm on that steering knuckle'nearest the side ofthe main frame from whichsaid carrier projects being disposed at an angle less than ninety degrees to its associated spindle, the'other operating arm being disposed at an'angle of greater than ninety degrees to its associated spindle, a tie 1car interconnecting said operating arms, and means for moving said tie bar to swing said steering knu'ckles'jointly abouty their respective axes.

are mounted, means for pivotally interconnectingsaid front axle and main frame on a substantially horizontal axis displaced from the center" of the front axle toward that side of the main iso frame from which said carrier projects, said axle being connectedto theframe at the' opposite side of the center for free vvertical oscillation, and

VFLOYD D. WALLACE.

WILLIAM A.y COST. JOSEPH HARTLEY.

' 9.1 n an elevating graderl having a, mainv 1 20. frame and a carrier projecting Yfrom one SideV 

